Best downhill racers: the right sled makes all the difference when you're playing in the snow
Author: Better Homes & Gardens

If it's been a few years since you were last in the market for a new sled, you'll be amazed at the choices now. Old-style wood-and-metal sleds still have their place on the hill. But new materials, especially sturdy, slick plastics and puncture-resistant nylons, have expanded the world of sled styles well beyond the toboggan you and your cousins used to pile onto, or the Flexible Flyer your Aunt Cathy gave you one Christmas.

Design influences from snowboarding, skiing, and aquatic sports have radically altered styles and shapes. Choosing the right sled depends on several factors. For instance, sleds with rails, which flounder in powdery snow, are a smart choice if you live where snow falls wet and compacts into an icy track. Inflatable and foam sleds work better on lighter snow. The sleds here appeal to a range of ages and appetites for thrill-seeking.

FROM $25 TO $100

SNOWBOOGIE BLADE RUNNER: Borrowing a page from the popular wave-riding boogie boards, the Blade Runner is a foam sled sheathed in slick polyethylene. Riders go downhill headfirst and steer by leaning. Higher-end models like the Blade Runner include special rails on the underside for snowboard-style turning. $25 from Wham-O, www.wham-o.com.

SKI-DOO: Inflatable sleds are a good choice for sledders who don't want to regret every bump in the hill the next morning. While they tend to work well on most sledding surfaces, these lightweight sleds are especially versatile in powder snow because they "float" on the surface better. The Ski-Doo is jacketed with a hard vinyl skin or protective outer sleeve that won't pop when you hit a root. $44.99 from Wham-O, www.wham-o.com.

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